UK Lifestyle blog

How to Reduce Excess Sweat When Working out

While sufferers of conditions such as hyperhidrosis always tend to finish their workouts looking as if they have just taken a shower, many others are prone to serious sweating too. Fortunately, this is generally no cause for real concern. However, heavy sweating can certainly be uncomfortable and you can take some steps to prevent it.

Take a Cool Shower before a Workout

While this may sound a little counter-intuitive, taking a cool shower before you start working out will not only ensure you begin exercising feeling cooler and fresher but will keep you that way for longer. Quite simply, it helps to stop you from overheating.

Exercise in Cool Environments

It’s important to work out in a room which is relatively cool. In addition, exercising outside when it is excessively hot is not a good idea. While this may seem pretty obvious, many don’t always pay attention to their environment. In short, the hotter the environment, the more you are going to sweat.

Wear Lightweight Clothing

Wearing lightweight clothing, especially if it is made from natural fibres, will significantly reduce your sweating. These types of fabric are generally highly breathable, which will go a long way in keeping your body cooler. Some kinds of synthetic clothing are also a good alternative as they are great for wicking sweat away from your body.

Take Care What You Eat and Drink

Eating or drinking the wrong types of things before you go for your workout will have a huge effect on the amount you sweat. Basically, anything that increases the metabolism should be resolutely avoided. For example, spicy foods are a real no-no. With regards to liquids, anything that contains caffeine should definitely be avoided. Stick to sports drinks and energy bars at least two hours before you train.

Get an Effective Antiperspirant

The fact is that while antiperspirants and deodorants smell great, many of them simply don’t function properly in preventing sweating. All they really do is cover up body odour and their effect doesn’t last that long. Therefore investing in a good quality antiperspirant, especially those that are known as “clinical”, will be well worth the trouble. These contain large quantities of aluminium chloride hexahydrate, which is great for sweat reduction. Speak to a specialist if you have any health worries concerning these types of products.

Consult a Doctor

If you try all of these steps and still find that you suffer from heavy sweating, you may need to consult a doctor. Indeed, if you tend to suffer from particularly heavy sweating even when you are not exerting yourself then there is a good chance you may have something such as hyperhidrosis. Unfortunately, only a doctor can be of help in this case.

Take Appropriate Vitamin Supplements

However, there is something else you can do without having to visit the doctor. You can begin a programme of vitamin supplements. There are several vitamins and minerals which are particularly useful and the most effective are B-Vitamin complexes (especially vitamin B6), vitamin E, magnesium and zinc. Zinc should be limited to around 30 to 50 mg per day and should be further supplemented with copper.